Postdoc in AlGaAs Nonlinear Nanophotonics for Terahertz Detection - DTU Electro

DTU - Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 446,000 - 670,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Electro in Denmark seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop high-sensitivity THz detectors based on nonlinear frequency upconversion using AlGaAs metasurfaces.

You will design, fabricate, and demonstrate THz-to-NIR converters, aiming to boost conversion efficiency and enable coherent focal-plane-array THz imaging in an interdisciplinary setting with international partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with strong experimental background in nanophotonics.
• Experience with cleanroom nanofabrication and optical characterization.
• Background in nonlinear optics or metasurfaces is a plus.
• Ability to work independently within an interdisciplinary, international team.

Responsibilities

• Design AlGaAs metasurfaces for enhanced nonlinear THz-to-NIR conversion.
• Develop and optimize nanofabrication processes at DTU Nanolab.
• Characterize metasurface resonances and THz-to-NIR conversion efficiency.
• Optimize spatial overlap between THz and optical fields.
• Integrate and test detectors in coherent THz imaging experiments.
• Collaborate with international partners on metasurface design and characterization.

Skills

Nanophotonics

Nonlinear optics

Optical metasurfaces

Integrated photonics

Semiconductor photonics

THz technologies

Cleanroom nanofabrication

Electromagnetic simulation

Optical characterization

Education

PhD in photonics / optical engineering / applied physics / electrical engineering

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with strong competencies in nanophotonics, nonlinear optics, metasurfaces, and nanofabrication to develop a new generation of high-sensitivity terahertz (THz) detectors based on nonlinear frequency upconversion.

You will join an interdisciplinary research team at DTU working at the interface of integrated photonics, THz science, and advanced imaging. Your research will focus on designing, fabricating, and experimentally demonstrating AlGaAs metasurface-enhanced THz-to-near-infrared converters, with the ambition of increasing conversion efficiency by orders of magnitude and enabling coherent focal-plane-array THz imaging.

The position offers the opportunity to develop cutting-edge nonlinear nanophotonic devices, work extensively with DTU Nanolab facilities, collaborate with leading international research groups, and contribute to a new platform for high-speed, hyperspectral and super-resolution THz imaging.

Responsibilities And Qualifications

Your primary responsibility will be to develop high-efficiency AlGaAs-based THz-to-NIR detectors using four-wave mixing and metasurface field enhancement. You will investigate the combination of microscale metallic THz structures and dielectric AlGaAs metasurfaces to enhance both THz and optical fields and optimize their spatial overlap. The work covers the complete research cycle from electromagnetic design and nanofabrication to optical/THz characterization and system integration. You will work closely with researchers specializing in THz spectroscopy and imaging and contribute to demonstrating focal-plane-array coherent THz detection.

Your main tasks will include:

• Design AlGaAs metasurfaces for enhanced nonlinear THz-to-NIR conversion.
• Design metallic structures for strong THz field confinement.
• Develop and optimize nanofabrication processes at DTU Nanolab.
• Characterize metasurface resonances and THz-to-NIR conversion efficiency.
• Optimize spatial overlap between confined THz and optical fields.
• Integrate and test detectors in coherent THz imaging experiments.
• Collaborate with international partners on metasurface design and characterization.

You should hold a PhD in photonics, optical engineering, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.

We are looking for candidates with a strong experimental background and experience in one or more of the following areas: nanophotonics, nonlinear optics, optical metasurfaces, integrated photonics, semiconductor photonics, or THz technologies. Experience with cleanroom nanofabrication, electromagnetic simulation, and optical characterization is highly desirable. Experience with AlGaAs or other III–V photonic platforms, nonlinear frequency conversion, THz spectroscopy, or metasurface characterization will be considered an advantage. You should be able to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is 2 years. Starting date is 1 November 2026. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Minhao Pu, [e-mail].

You can read more about DTU Electro at www.electro.dtu.dk/research/research-areas/nanophotonics/nanophotonic-devices

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe’s global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.